THE ROAD TO REBELLION

The British victory in the French and Indian War gave the colonists confidence in being able to continue their independent existance. The victory of the French and Indian war brought a sense of security to the colonists. This caused the British to pay more attention to the American colonies and their victory. Unfortunately for the colonists with the war over Britain now had more time and resources to govern their colonies on a tighter rein. The British passed many taxes that the Americans disagreed with. Many of them lead to certain acts of rebellion.

After the French and Indian War Great Britain had many debts. To garuntee a fur trade Britian passed the Proclamation of 1763. This forbid the colonists to settle west of the Appalacian Mountains. To maintain control over the colonies British troops were stationed there. This started to irritate the colonists.


THE GRENVILLE ACTS


In 1763 the King of Great Britain formed a new group of advisors. They enforced the existing policies and introduced new policies for the colonies. Shortly after, they introduced the Grenville Acts. They consisted of the following:
  • The Sugar Act: The Sugar Act was passed on April 5, 1764. The Americans had to pay six cents extra per gallon on all importation of molasses and other sugars.
  • The Stamp Act: The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament on March 22, 1765. Americans were forced to pay a tax on all printed materials including legal documents, packages, newspapers, and other publications.
  • The Quartering Act:The Quartering Act was passed in March 1765. All of the American colonies were forced to supply the British Troops with food, shelter, and armor.

George Grenville played a signifigant part in these acts. He was the leader of The House of Commons. He was looked at as a shallow and humorless person. This may have played a part in why he did such things.

ACTS OF REBELLION


The Americans started many acts of protest during this period.

1764: The Sugar Act
1764: The Currency Act
1773: The Tea Act
1765: The Stamp Act
1765: The Quartering Act of 1765

THE BOSTON TEA PARTY

Almost anyone who has studied American history knows the story of the Boston Tea Party. About fifty or sixty men known as the "Sons of Liberty" disguised themselves as Indians and dumped barrels tea into the Boston Harbor. They did this to protest the three-cent tax put on East India Tea which was basically the only tea avaliabe in America at this time. Fewer know that the improper Bostonians repeated the performance a year later on March 7, 1774. The combination of both events ended up costing the British around $3 million in modern money.
Here is a link to a primary source.
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TIMELINE


1643: New England Confederation formed
1650-1660: Navigation Acts
1652: Rhode Island passes anti-slavery law
1730s: Great Awakening
1732: Hat Act
1733: Molasses Act
1750: Iron Act
1754-1763: French and Indian War
1763-1765: Pontiac's Rebellion
1763: Royal Proclamation of 1763
1764: Sugar Act
1764: Currency Act
1765: Quartering Act
1765: Stamp Act
1766: Declaratory Act
1767-1770: Townshend Acts
1770: Boston Massacre
1772: Committees of Correspondence established
1773: Tea Act
1773: Boston Tea Party
1774: First Continental Congress
1775: Boone blazes Wilderness Road
1775: Second Continental Congress
1775: Continental Army formed
1775-1783: Revolutionary War
1776: Declaration of Independence